Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris announced Tuesday she is suspending her 2020 presidential campaign.
“In good faith, I can’t tell you, my supporters and volunteers, that I have a path forward (to the Democratic presidential nomination) if I don’t believe I do,” Harris said in a statement.
Languishing at single digits in the polls for months, Harris said she did not have the financial resources needed to continue her campaign.
“I’m not a billionaire. I can’t fund my own campaign,” the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica said. “And as the campaign has gone on, it’s become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete.”
To my supporters, it is with deep regret—but also with deep gratitude—that I am suspending my campaign today.
But I want to be clear with you: I will keep fighting every day for what this campaign has been about. Justice for the People. All the people.https://t.co/92Hk7DHHbR
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 3, 2019
Harris entered the race in January and was considered a top contender by many pundits. She surged briefly in the polls after a strong Democratic presidential debate performance in June, but her support eroded in the weeks thereafter.
On Monday, RealClearPolitics put her at 3.4% support for the nomination.
Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, news reports surfaced of turmoil within her campaign. Last week, The New York Times quoted staffers as saying Harris was indecisive and failed in attempts to straddle rifts in the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates.
Harris stressed that the end of her White House bid would not be the end of her political career.
“Although I am no longer running for president, I will do everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump and fight for the future of our country and the best of who we are,” she said.
Fellow democratic candidates expressed support for Harris’ decision.
“She’s a first-rate candidate and a real competitor, and I have mixed emotions about it because she is really a solid, solid person and loaded with talent,” said former Vice President Joe Biden.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders thanked Harris for running a “spirited and issue-oriented campaign,” and said he looked forward to working with her to “defeat the most dangerous president in history.”
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren thanked Harris for her “commitment to fighting for the people.” Warren called the primary system “deeply broken” because it allowed billionaires to buy their way into the nomination process.
President Donald Trump’s official 2020 campaign Twitter account posted a graphic “congratulating” Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard after Harris withdrew from the race. Gabbard and Harris often clashed on issues.
“Sending my best wishes to @KamalaHarris, her family & supporters who have campaigned so hard,” Gabbard tweeted. “While we disagree on some issues, we agree on others & I respect her sincere desire to serve the American people.”
Harris had been the only person of color to qualify thus far for the next Democratic presidential debate scheduled for Dec. 19.
